Brazil's macadamia nut exports take off

Brazil recently began cultivating macadamia nuts commercially. The country cultivated this dry fruit before, but trade was not very developed and they were used as fertilizers as producers were barely able to sell them; a practice that was profitable in the local market, because fertilizers were too costly, especially the organic ones. However, the situation is changing, as a group of Brazilian producers of macadamia nuts are beginning to look for ways to export them.

Marco Russo, from Macadamia Brazil, said that the quality of the nuts was excellent for export and that they hadn't exported them because they didn't have export contracts and relationships with other markets. "Much work is still needed. We have to make investments, send samples, etc.," said the producer, adding that the market for macadamia was growing much faster than the coffee market; a crop that many of these producers used to cultivate.

Macadamia nuts are very tasty, especially when used in making chocolate candy, ice cream or mixed with other nuts to enhance their flavor.

Macadamia can be grown throughout the whole year and, according to Russo, they have not had any weather problems so far: "The weather is almost the same throughout the year here. It has rained a lot and, regarding temperatures, we have not had harsh winters."

The offer is stable and, even though the group has not focused on any market yet, as it is at a fairly early stage, they have noticed that China, the US and Europe, with whom they are building relationships, have a good demand.

Currently, the Brazilian currency facilitates exports from Brazil and macadamia producers are taking advantage of this situation to reach foreign markets with better prices than their competition. Moreover, Russo isn't very worried about the competition because he believes that there are many markets to explore. Macadamia nuts have gained popularity recently, probably because to their health benefits.

Russo said the group was in a learning stage, searching for new markets and new ways to export macadamia nuts.

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